Belmont, NC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Saturday afternoon in a 3-1 final score.
The Warriors picked up 54 kills in the battle against the Crusaders. Ainsley Stovall led the Warriors as she picked up 14 kills in the match. Right behind her, Micheala Andress had 12 kills and Karson Haley had nine. Both Amiyah Spann and Katie Fulton had 22 assists. Andress recorded four of the Warriors five service aces. The other ace came from Calie Covey.
Southern Wesleyan totaled 64 digs in the match with three Warriors posting double digits. Libero Calie Covey led the Warriors with 14. Right behind her, Katie Fulton had 13 and Micheala Andress had 11. The Warriors totaled 13 blocks during the match. Briley Wolff had four while three Warriors followed with two blocks.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Southern Wesleyan 26, Belmont Abbey 24
Set Two Final: Belmont Abbey 25, Southern Wesleyan 20
Set Three Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Belmont Abbey 21
Set Four Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Belmont Abbey 18
Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-5 / CC 4-3) Belmont Abbey (8-7 / CC 4-4)
How It Happened
Set One
An attack error by the Crusaders allowed the Warriors to get on the board first in the opening set. However, a kill by Renata Bolado and then an assisted block by Bolado and Chloe Lowder allowed Belmont Abbey to take a 2-1 point lead. Southern Wesleyan answered as Briley Wolff and Ainsley Stovall got in back-to-back kills. The Crusaders went on a five point run to regain the advantage. Micheala Andress dug up the ball before Amiyah Spann dumped it over to put the Warriors within four. The Warriors maintained their intensity as they went on a six point run that was led by kills by Sarah Mitchell to take an 11-9 point lead over the Crusaders. Lola Sultenfuss attempted to block an attack by Briley Wolff, but Wolff was able to get the ball in for a kill. Belmont Abbey challenged as Sultenfuss and Katie Brookins got in a couple kills. It was not enough as Katie Fulton set the ball and Micheala Andress drilled the ball down to give the Warriors a 26-24 point lead.
Set Two
Belmont Abbey started the second set strong as Renatta Bolado got in a kill. The Warriors answered as Briley Wolff and Karson Haley got in a couple kills. Micheala Andress came up to serve and got the ball in for an ace off a reception error by Bolado. The Crusaders tied the match up as Bolado was able to put up back-to-back kills. Amiyah Spann set the ball up to Sarah Mitchell who got in a kill to put the Warriors within one. Belmont Abbey continued to push ahead as Katie Brookins and Lola Sultenfuss were able to put down a couple kills. Andress served up another ace. Wolff and Haley blocked another attack by Bolado. Southern Wesleyan challenged, but another kill by Sultenfuss allowed the Crusaders to take the second set in a 25-20 point victory.
Set Three
An attack error by the Warriors allowed the Crusaders to take the first point of the third set. Southern Wesleyan answered as Megan Gilliland got in a kill. Kills by Gilliland and Ainsley Stovall allowed the Warriors to extend their lead to 6-4. Amiyah Spann set the ball up to Karson Haley. Haley drilled the ball down to extend the Warriors lead to five. Southern Wesleyan would not relent as kills by Briley Wolff, Gilliland and Stovall allowed the Warriors to extend their lead further. The Crusaders challenged, but Wolff and Gilliland blocked the next attack by Lola Sultenfuss. A kill by Hailey Hall allowed Belmont Abbey to come to within four. It was not enought as Southern Wesleyan persevered and took the third set in a 25-21 final.
Set Four
The Crusaders pushed on in the fourth set as Lola Sultenfuss and Renata Bolado got in a couple kills early on. Micheala Andress got the ball past the Crusaders for back-to-back kills to keep the Warriors within one. Southern Wesleyan continued their attacks as they went on a six point run to take the lead. Delaney Watson put down a kill to keep Belmont Abbey within two. However, kills by Micheala Andress propelled the Warriors up to a 13-9 point lead. Southern Wesleyan would not relent as Andress served up another ace and then both Megan Gilliland and Sarah Mitchell got in a couple kills. Amiyah Spann set the ball up and Mitchell drilled the ball down to give the Warriors a 25-18 point victory in the final set of the match.
What's Next
The Warriors will remain on the road on October 8 as they travel over to Spartanburg, SC to take on the Converse Valkyries at 6pm. They will then travel to Due West, SC on October 10 to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet. Southern Wesleyan will return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on October 11 to take on the University of Mount Olive Trojans.
